According to Microsoft "DreamSpark is simple: it's all about giving students Microsoft professional-level developer and designer tools at no cost so that students can chase their dreams and create the next big breakthrough in technology - or just get a head start on their career." While most of the software is free, some items are at a small cost and if ordered you must provide a valid form of payment. However, those fee-based products should not be required as part of any course at UAB.

DreamSpark helps educators teach the latest technologies and experiment in research. To make learning more motivating, relevant, and engaging for today's students requires a diverse set of resources. DreamSpark gives educators the resources to ensure their classrooms always have the latest technologies to challenges, motivate, and keep students engaged in new ways.

Access to the Dreamspark program is through an external webportal managed by UAB IT. Login using your BlazerID and strong password (don't worry, the authentication takes place using a secure connection back to UAB...your password is never provided to the external website).

NOTE: While anyone with a valid BlazerID can login to the Dreamspark site, only those students and faculty engaged in a STEM program are currently authorized to order/download any software. Your ability to participate in the program is based on the information UAB passes to Dreamspark during the login process.